What Alain Vigneault said before the game against Boston

Feb 7 | 12:59PM

Alain Vigneault met with the media prior to tonight's game against Boston and said (NYR):

On Marc Staal, "he is still having neck issues so at this time the doctors are still trying to figure out what exactly he has and what the process is. I should no more in the next 48 hours."

On the rest of the injuries, "Vesey is continuing the protocol, him and Buchnevich both skated today, both coming along. Kreids skated today, coming along from that standpoint. Shatty is off crutches and coming along well, working out, all a step in the right directions."

On going through a tough stretch., "Trying to stay very precise with elements that we need to do, very positive within the group, coaches and players but what we are doing right now is a lot of 1 on 1 sessions with our players and showing them what we expect them to do on the ice, reinforcing it when they do it right, reinforcing it by verbal communication and video reinforcement. I've said this to everybody that has followed our team here for the last almost three-weeks, we are playing better than our record indicates. We are working extremely hard and we will continue to do that and confident things will turn around."

On DeAngelo, "In Dallas, might have been one of his more 50/50 games. I expect more from Tony with the puck, I expect him to be better on breakout situations and supporting the attack. I see a lot of skill and upside but you've got a young player, learning curve, consistency we are working on but there are some good and positive things to work with there."

More on DeAngelo, "if you want to make a statement in the NHL and stay in the NHL you gotta perform on the ice. We are working with Tony on things that we feel he should be able to do with that skill set, he has always been considered to be an offensive, PP type of defenseman and we are tying to make sure that he gets those opportunities and that when he does, he performs. He is working hard and we like that part and we need to make sure we keep steering it in the right direction."

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Rangers Top 10 prospect list starts with Lias Andersson

The Hockey News Pool Guide lists almost all recent prospects

By Rangers Top 10 Prospects starts with Lias Andersson | 6:27PM

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(Adam Hunger)

The Hockey News has released their annual pool guide and with it a list of the Rangers top 10 prospects.

Where the Rangers have prospects land on a Top 50 list

Aug 12 | 12:28PM

The only Ranger to make the list was Filip Chytil at 23. (The Athletic)

On Chytil, Wheeler writes that Chytil projects more as a second line center than a first line center but that he is someone that "loves" to have the puck on his stick and, despite his size, has a "fluid, light stride" and more agility than "you'd expect." (The Athletic)

Zuccarello and Lundqvist held an outdoor game in Norway

Aug 11 | 1:30PM

Rangers Lundqvist hopes that Zuccarello will stay with team

Aug 10 | 2:58PM

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Mar 12, 2018; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes with teammates during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

Henrik Lundqvist said that he hopes Mats Zuccarello is part of the Rangers plans moving forward.(VG)

Lundqvist said that Zuccarello adds a lot to the team on and off the ice and sets an example with his work ethic. (VG)

Zuccarello is entering the final-year of a four-year deal that has a cap hit of $4.5 million.

How close did the Rangers come to landing Wayne Gretzky in 1988?

Aug 9 | 12:41PM

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New York Rangers Wayne Gretzky reacts after scoring his third goal for a hat trick during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers Sunday, May 18, 1997. The Rangers won 5-4 and tied the series 1-1.(AP Photo/Joe Hampshire) (AP)

Today is the 30th Anniversary of Wayne Gretzky's trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings.

Gretzky was traded to LA for a package that included Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, three future first-round (traded to NJ for Corey Foster, Marty Rucinsky, Nick Stajduhar) draft picks and $15 million.

The pieces the Rangers need to add or develop

Aug 8 | 10:22AM

Craig Custance took a look at the Capitals, how their roster fit into five categories and then compared that to the rest of the teams in the Metro. (The Athletic)

The criteria he looked at included "great centers," "a game breaker," "offensive defenseman," "playoff experience" and "size." (The Athletic)

Custance notes that the Rangers have had "good" but not "great" centers lately and that the hope is that they will be able to find a "great" center during their rebuild." (The Athletic)

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Assistant coach David Oliver's brief history as a player with the Rangers

Once skated on a line with Gretzky

Aug 7 | 7:00PM

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Mar 24, 2018; New York, NY, USA; A general view of Madison Square Garden before a game between the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports (Danny Wild)

New Rangers assistant coach David Oliver was a 7th round pick of the Edmonton OIlers in 1991 and after playing four years at the University of Michigan, he played half a season for the Oilers in 1994-95.

Oliver then spent the next season and part of another with the Oilers before joining the Rangers for 14 regular season and 3 playoff games at the end of the 1996-97 season.

Edmonton's GM throughout Oliver's entire time in the Oilers organization was current Rangers President Glen Sather.

Libor Hajek's coach in the WHL, John Paddock, said that he is close to being NHL ready, could compete for a roster spot next season and also has the ability to be a "top-four defenseman in the league for a long-time." (Newsday & NY Post)

Mika Zibanejad was Jeff Gorton's answer when he was asked which player needs to take a step offensively this season. (NHL Network)

Gorton said, "Mika has to go to another level offensively for us to compete for a playoff spot." (NHL Network)

Gorton added, "I think he has all the tools, at times he shown he can be a number one center, he can play against some of the better players in the league, defend and offensively push and PP is a threat, he is one guy that really jumps out to me that if he has a big year we should be competing for a playoff spot." (NHL Network)

Rangers Ryan Spooner signs two-year deal

Jul 31 | 4:26PM

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Feb 25, 2018; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Ryan Spooner (23) during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden. This was Spooner's first game with the Rangers after being acquired from the Boston Bruins. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

The Rangers have announced that Ryan Spooner has come to terms on a two-year deal.

What is next for the Rangers after getting Kevin Hayes signed

Jul 31 | 10:21AM

Mar 24, 2018; New York, NY, USA; A general view of Madison Square Garden before a game between the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports (Danny Wild)

With the signing of Kevin Hayes on Monday, the Rangers only have one arbitration case, Ryan Spooner on 8/4, remaining.

According to Cap Friendly, the Rangers have $9.67 in cap space right now but that includes Matt Beleskey, Cody McLeod and Peter Holland up front and Brendan Smith, Rob O'Gara and Steven Kampfer on defense.

On a roster that has all of the above players in Hartford but adds Filip Chytil, Lias Andersson and Neal Pionk, the Rangers have just over $12 million in cap space.

The Rangers currently have 45 contracts signed on their 50 contract list and 69 out of 90 spots taken on their reserve list.

Following the last game of the Rangers season, Henrik Lundqvist spoke about how the last few months of the season were about "learning and new experiences" but that next season is about "winning games and getting back into the playoffs." (NYR)

7/29/18 | Rick Carpiniello, of The Athletic, confirms that there is a "significant gap in contract talks and that if Hayes signs a one-year deal it's likely he will be traded before being a UFA next summer.

7/28/19 | According to Larry Brooks, Kevin Hayes is likely to sign a one-year deal with the Rangers that would allow him to be a UFA next summer. (NY Post)

He writes that there has been "little traction" in talks for a long-term deal and that Hayes is believed to be seeking a deal between $5.5 million and $6 million for five or six-years. (NY Post)

The "potential" of Rangers prospect K'Andre Miller

Jul 26 | 1:27PM

USA Hockey announced today that Rangers first round pick K'Andre Miller will not take part in next weeks USA World Junior showcase due to illness.

Miller will play this season at the University of Wisconsin and could still play for Team USA at the World Juniors this winter.

The Hockey News said of Miller that the main word to describe him is "potential" and one scout said "he has a beautiful, powerful stride, and he's becoming a real stout defender. At the least, he'll be a minute-eater because he's such a great athlete. I love his floor and I love his ceiling."

What Mike Sullivan, and others, say about Rangers coach David Quinn

"Really good coach" - Sullivan

Jul 24 | 9:53AM

The New York Rangers new head coach David Quinn speaks during a news conference in New York, Thursday, May 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (Seth Wenig/AP)

Penguins coach, and former Rangers assistant, Mike Sullivan said that the Rangers are getting a "really good coach" in David Quinn. (NHL.com)

Sullivan and Quinn were teammates at BU in the late 80s and Sullivan aid that the Rangers are getting a "real competitive guy" that will "build relationships" and get the most out of players. (NHL.com)

He added that Quinn is a "real good coach, a good teacher. I think he's going to bring that to the table at the pro level with the young Rangers team." (NHL.com)

Sullivan said that Quinn's "biggest strength" is how he builds relationships and brings a love and passion of hockey to the rink every day. (NHL.com)

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Rangers Filip Chytil is ready to play the full year in the NHL

Jul 23 | 10:25AM

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Mar 30, 2018; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Filip Chytil (72) is congratulated after scoring his first NHL goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports (Andy Marlin)

While at development camp recently, Filip Chytil said that he wants to show the organization in training camp that he is ready to play in the NHL and ready to play in the Rangers top-six. (NYR)

Chytil said that he feels he can play against the best players in the NHL and said that he wants to improve in all areas of his game and "be better and be ready to play in the NHL." (NYR)

He said that he wants to spend all of next season in the NHL, felt that last year in the AHL was great and was able to receive a lot of support from everyone. (NYR)

Zibanejad, Zuccarello and Lundqvist were at Jesper Fast's wedding

Jul 20 | 10:32AM

Rangers Jimmy Vesey on consistency, Quinn and stepping up his game

Jul 19 | 7:29PM

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Nov 8, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey (26) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports (Andy Marlin)

Jimmy Vesey was on NHL Tonight to discuss his new contract with the Rangers and said (NHL Network):

On staying with the Rangers, "it's a good situation for both sides and glad it worked out. We are a new look team this year with a lot of youth and changes. Looking forward to somewhat of a fresh start and the guys in our room, everyone can be a little bit better and that will bode well for us."

Where do you want to get better, "consistency for me has been big, I've had good stretches and then quieter stretches as well. I've gone from a younger guy on the team to pretty much one of the older guys. I want to step up my game and be more consistent and develop into a leader for this team."

Rangers David Quinn has started setting expectations for the season

Jul 19 | 9:40AM

Quinn said that if he was "better at geography" he would have visited Mats Zuccarello but he didn't realize that Norway was just a "hop away." (NY Post)

Quinn said that he has spoken with about 10 players so far and that the focus has been on getting to know each other, building a relationship and "getting onto the same page as far as clarifying our expectations of one another and as a team." (NY Post)

He said that he wants the players to believe that they can contend for the Stanley Cup and that if they work at that and buy in "people might be surprised at what we can accomplish collectively." (NY Post)

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Shattenkirk wants Rangers to establish culture of winning next season

Jul 18 | 7:06PM

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New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) celebrates his game-winning overtime goal over the Florida Panthers in an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Sunrise, Fla. The Rangers won the game 5-4. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper) (Joe Skipper/AP)

Kevin Shattenkirk said that this season for the Rangers needs to be about establishing a "culture of winning" and that the focus isn't just to improve a little but to make the playoffs. (NHL.com)

Shattenkirk added, "when you drive that home into players especially early in their career, you don't accept anything less than making the playoffs and trying to make a run for the Stanley Cup." (NHL.com)

He said that when you look around the league at teams going through a rebuild it takes a year or two but that the Rangers are "fortunate" to still have some veterans as well as an "ace" in net."(NHL.com)

Shattenkirk said that it's on him and the veteran players to "bear the burden" and build that culture of winning. (NHL.com)

Vesey has collected 55 points over two NHL seasons

Jul 17 | 3:45PM

Vesey, 25, played in 79 games for the Rangers last season, scoring 17 goals and 11 assists.

From the Rangers release:

He established career-highs in several categories in 2017-18, including goals and points, and he tied his career-high in assists.

Vesey tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (four) and game-deciding goals (one), ranked third in even strength goals (16), ranked fifth in goals and takeaways (46), and tied for sixth in hits (83).

The Rangers posted a 15-4-3 record in games which he registered a point, including a 10-2-1 record in games which he tallied a goal.

Vesey recorded nine points (five goals, four assists) in the final 13 games of the season, including six points (two goals, four assists) in the final eight contests.